Keepin' the faith alive

The Wells-Metz Theatre will receive some unwelcome guests this weekend -- anti-gay protester Pastor Fred Phelps and his faithful followers from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. The IU department of theatre and drama's production of "The Laramie Project," a play about the murder of Matthew Shepard, brings Phelps to town. \nFrom the beginning, Phelps has interfered in the Shepard case, protesting outside the hospital as Shepard lay dying and picketing at his funeral. He has protested productions of "The Laramie Project" throughout the nation, claiming the show is an attempt to "promote the satanic sodomite agenda."\nAnd now, he and his followers descend upon our community.\nNo matter how much you disagree with Phelps' message of hate, he has a right to protest. As an American citizen, just like the rest of us, his right to a peaceful assembly is protected -- no matter what the content.\n We at the Indiana Daily Student do not oppose Phelps' right to protest at a prominent point on campus (right on Jordan Avenue). We understand he has every right to express his view. What we cannot condone, though, is Phelps' encouragement of the slaughter of innocent victims.\n No matter what your stance on sexuality issues may be, one fact remains constant -- Matthew Shepard harmed no one that night in Laramie, Wyo., but was beaten, tied to a fence and left to die anyway. By justifying these actions, Phelps and his cronies are putting their stamp of approval on violent murder.\n Maybe the Westboro Baptist Church congregation received a shipment of misprinted Bibles. Maybe theirs are missing that phrase "Thou shalt not kill."\nSomehow, though, this seems unlikely.\nThe protesters are acting on behalf of a passage in the Bible suggesting homosexuality is a sin, and they have chosen to castigate those who infringe upon that. But, murder is an obvious sin, and by endorsing Shepard's murder, the church is encouraging sin. In this case, it seems selective reading is convenient.\nThe members of the Westboro church may be wrong in their support of murder, but they have the right to protest either way. We at the IDS would just like to implore you to make this as peaceful an event as possible.\nWhen an issue as intense as gay rights is on the line, strong emotions tend to get stirred into the mix -- and rightfully so. But with fundamentalists, such as Phelps' faithful followers, it is a futile endeavor to try to argue points or change minds. \nIf the depiction of himself in "The Laramie Project" didn't affect Phelps' stance, the arguments of college students probably aren't going to influence him, either. The IU Police Department has already been contacted to address safety issues. Let's just make sure it won't be needed.\nYes, Phelps is going to be presenting some offensive material, but don't justify it by sinking to his level and acknowledging him.